1
                                                                EXHIBIT 23.01




                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Summary - Accounting
Treatment," "Summary - Federal Income Tax Considerations," "Summary - Selected
Historical Financial Data," "Risk Factors - Possible Loss of Tax-Free
Treatment," "The Merger - The Merger Agreement," "The Merger - Accounting
Treatment," "The Merger - Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Experts" in
the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of Quintiles
Transnational Corp. (the "Company") for the registration of 350,000 shares of
its common stock and to (i) the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated January 29, 1997 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
the Company incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1996 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and (ii) the inclusion herein of our report dated February 12, 1997 with respect
to the financial statements of CerebroVascular Advances, Inc. as of and for the
year ended December 31, 1996.



                                                  /s/  Ernst & Young LLP



Raleigh, North Carolina
May 7, 1997